Telegraph keyboard mechanism



Aug. 27, 1940. P. A. NOXON El AL TELEGRAPH KEYBOARD MECHANISM Filed Aug. 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l C Ill/ INVENTORS 01 BY 3 ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1940. F A. NOXON Er AL 2,212,548

TELEGRAPH KEYBOARD MECHANISM 'Filed Aug. 14, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS P. A. NOXON G. F. MILLER %T ORNEY Aug. 27, 1940. P. A. NOXON ET AL TELEGRAPH KEYBOARD MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 14, 1937 R 50 m m T W N W R vA m m2. Y B 2 21 1Q mN Patented Aug. 27, 1940 are Artur OFFICE TELEoaarHKEreoAJan MECHANISM Paul A. NOXQH, Tenafiy, and George F. Miller, Unien, N; J., assignors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application aug st 14, 1937, serial No. 159,124

' 7 Claims. (cine-79) f'll'iisinvention relates primarily to telegraph "keyboard mechanisms and more particularly to permutation keyboard mechanisms for selective telegraph systems and the like, in which a plurality of keys and keylevers serve toselectively position a set of permutation members in various combinations according to the keylever Operated and concomitantly start orinitiate the operation of a distributing. or transmitting mechanism for transmitting a group of impulses representative of the position of the. permutation members. The keyboard mechanism is especially adapted v for operation in conjunction with start-stop telegraph systems wherein a definite code, made up of permutations of a definite number. of two different line conditions is employed, and each code group is preceded by a start impulse or interval of uniform line condition and followed.

by a stopping or rest impulse or interval which is always the'same and of opposite line condition from that of the starting impulse.

In order to maintain synchronisrn between the transmitter and receiver in start-stop telegraph systems, it is the usual practice to employ creep,

which in effect is to rotate the receiving distributor shaft an-appreciable amount faster the transmitting distributor shaft. In such systems'th'e receiving apparatus is startedinto operation by thestart impulse and comes to'res't during. the rest impulse, and remains at rest until-the start impulse of the succeeding group of impulses. This insures that the receiving shaftis stopped in its rest position and properly "conditioned for the start impulse of the following code group of impulses. Obviously, such an arrangement has many disadvantages, such as necessitating transmitting and receiving shafts .rotatingatdifferent speeds and. a non-uniform .arr an'gementof the. corresponding operating positions of the transmitting and receiving shafts.

mitti ng shaft after each revolution and holding .it at rest for at least a predetermined length of time in order to insure that the receiving shaft will have completed a revolution and be stopped in its rest vposition at the completion or the corresponding revolution of the transthan 'mittingshaft under all normal speed variations likely to occur between the two shafts.

In telegraph keyboards there are usually a considerable number ofelements that have to be positioned or moved by the operation of a keylever, the number of elements having to be moved may depend to a considerable extent upon the previous keylever actuated; Obviously, such an arrangement requires a substantial pressure to operate the keylevers under certain'conditions while in othersit is somewhat lighter; Such arrangements, in addition tobeing very tiring on the operator, are not conducive to high speed operation andit is therefore another object of the inventionto provide a keyboard wherein very little pressure "is. required 'to operate the keylevers and whereinthe pressure is substantially uniformfor all conditions. 7

Other objects of the invention reside in the manner in which the prevention of theoperation of more than one keylever at a time is accomplished, the manner in whichthe; operation of a second keylever is prevented until after" the complete transmission of the impulses represented by the actuation of thepreceding keylever, and the ease of "adjustment and accessibility of the parts and the of parts employed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention minimum number will appearhereinafter in conjunction with the detailed description thereof. r A

The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated. in the accompanying drawings, em-

ploys a set of keylevers arranged substantially the same as those of an ordinary'typewriter. Extending at right angles "to the keylevers are a set of difierently notched permutation bars which are adapted to be selectively positioned in .accordance with the .ke'ylever operated. A

so-called sixth or release bar operated whenever any keylever isjd'epressed causes the release of a frictionally driven timing shaft. Thetiming shaft controls the release of thetransmitting shaft which in rotating from itsrest position locks. the permutation. bars in their selected positions and allows a set of contact controlling bell cranks to'operatively engage the permutation bars toselective'ly position a set of primary'contacts in accordance withthe positions of the permutationbars. Further'rotation of the trans-' mitting shaft then sequentially closes, a set of transmitting. contacts, electrically connected, to the primary contacts, to'transmit a group of impulses representative of the settings of 'the primary contacts. The transmitting shaftrotates of the invention may be had when taken in conjunction with the following detailed description and the drawings, in the latter of which:

Fig. l is a right hand elevational View of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view thereof showing the transmitting mechanism and a part of the keyboard; v

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially online 5-5 of Fig. 2 and in addition shows the front ends of the keylevers.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1--l of Fig. 1; g

v Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 1; and

. Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram of the contacts and line conductors. 1

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 5, the preferred embodiment of the invention is provided with a flat metal base plate I I upon which are mounted the various elements of the keyboard hereinafter described. Attached by screws l2 adjacent thecenter of the base plate H are a row of vertical posts 13. Horizontally supported in the upper ends of the posts I3 is a keylever pivot rod l4. Pivoted at their rear ends on the rod M are a series of keylevers I6. The keylevers extend horizontally in the keyboard and the forward upturned ends are provided with associated finger keys or key caps IT. The arrangement of the finger keys is in a bank of three horizontal rows and their arrangement is similar to that of the finger keys of a three-bank typewriter. An

elongated space finger key I8 is provided, and is disposed in the' front center of the keyboard. The space finger key I8 is attached to a bail H which is pivotally supported in blocks, such as 2!, attached to the front edge of thebase plate ll. The space bail I9 is articulatively associated with the respective space keylever is by means of apin 22in an armofthe bail l9 engaged inthe bifurcated end of the spacekeylever IBS. Attached adjacent the front corners of the base plates II are a pair of vertical spacing posts 23. Attached to the posts 23 by screws, such as 24, is a front comb plate 26, which has therein a series of vertical slots 21, one for each of the keylevers I6, which are adapted to guide the keylevers in their vertical movement. At-

tached to the base plate H, at opposite sides thereof, by screws 28, Figs. 5 and 6, are a pair of brackets 29 (one onlyof which is shown) which have therein a plurality of vertical slots 3|. Extending transversely beneath the keylever l6 and guided. in the slots 3| intl'ie brackets 29 are a set of five notched permutation members or bars 32, one for each of the variable impulses of the signaling code, and a sixth or release bar 33. Each of the permutation bars 32, as well known in the art, is provided with a series of notches having oppositely inclined faces, one of such faces being provided on each bar'for each of the keylevers l6 so that it is moved to one of two positions by the depression of some of the keylevers and into the other of such positions by the depression of the other keylevers. As the permutation bars are not moved by any other 'means except the keylevers, they retain their setting until the same is changed by the depression of another keylever and the notches on the permutation members cooperate with the keylever to prevent the operation of more than one keylever at a time in a manner well known in the art. The release bar 33 has beveled surfaces 35, Fig. 6, which slope in only one direction and is restored to its right hand position, as shown in Fig. 6, by means hereinafter described as soon as permitted by the release of an operated keylever. A rod 36 in each of the brackets 29 has pivotally mounted thereon a set of six rollers 3'1, one individual to each of the permutation bars 32 and the release bar 33. The rollers 31 permit movementof the bars from one position to the other with a minimum amount of friction. Secured to the rear of the brackets 29 by screws 38, Figs. 2 and 5, and extending therebetween is a rear comb plate 39 which has thereto each of the keylevers l 6, to guide the keylevers adjacent the center thereof. The keylevers are upheld in a normal position by associated bent single wire springs 42, the fixed ends of which in a'plurality of Vertical slots 4|, one individual are anchored in a spring bar 43 suitably supported from the base plate H. The keylevers l6 are limited in their upward movement by a bar 44 faced with a leather strip 45 or some other suitable absorbing material extending between;

manner in which a representative group of code impulses is transmitted will hereinafter be described.

Supported on the top of theposts 23 at the.

front of the keyboard and by suitable members (not shown) at the rear of the base plate II is a top plate 46. The keyboard is usually associated and operates in combination with a printing unit and the top plate 46 comprises the base of the printing unit. A common motor is employed for the printing and keyboard unit and the motor is attached to the printing unit. The keyboard may-be operated, however, as a separate unit by providing an electric motor as will hereinafter be evident.

At the right handedge of the keyboard is the transmitting mechanism which is adapted, as hereinafter described, to change the mechanical settings of the permutation bars 32 into representative combinations of electrical impulses and to precede and follow each combination with start andrest impulses, respectively. When used in combination with a printing unit, the transmitting mechanism, as illustrated in the pre- I .45 accordance with the operated keylever and the ting shaft 49, Fig. 3, which is .pivotally supported adjacent either end in flanged bushings 5i and 52. The bushings are clamped to vertical sections. 53 and 54 of a-cast transmitting frame 56 by bushing clamping member 57 and 58 respectively. Freely mounted on the transmitting shaft 49 is a flanged sleeve 59 Forced on the sleeve 59 and adapted for rotation therewith are two helical gears (52 and 63, separated by a spacer 64%. A nut 66 on the threaded left hand end of the sleeve 59 clamps the gears and spacer in place and together for rotation with the sleeve 59.' Extending horizontally from the left hand face of the nut 66 are a series of pins 67, Figs. 3 and 4, which engage radial slots in asegmented ring comprising three segments 68. A circular coiled radially contractible spring 69 surrounds the segments 58 and holds them together with a felt ring It infrictional engagement'with the outer circumference of a collar H. The collar fill is fixed adjacent the left hand end of the transmitting shaft 49 for rotation therewith by means of a pin 12. The gear 62 meshes with another helical gear l3 located directly thereabove and is adapted to be rotated thereby. The gear 13 is fixed to the continuously rotating operating shaft 48 of the associated printer unit and is adapted to be rotated thereby. Thus, the gear 52 and the elements fixed to the sleeve 5%! are continuously rotated. The pins 6'! cause the segments 63 to rotate with. the sleeve 59 and they .in cooperation with the felt ring Hi tend to rotate the collar ll fixed to the transmitting shaft t9. However, the transmitting shaft 59 is normally held at rest in its predetermined rest or normal position by means hereinafter described.

Located on the right hand end, as shown in Fig. 3, of the transmitting shaft ill from left to right intermediate with spacers i6 is a start pulse cam ll, five transmitting cams indicated in general by reference numeral l8, alock cam l5 and a stop arm 8!. The cams ll, 18 and f9 and the stop arm iii are clamped together and against a flange 82 on the shaft :39 for rotation therewith by means of a nut 83 in threaded engagement with the threaded right hand end of ,the'transmitting shaft 49.

Meshing with the gear 63 and adapted to be rotated therefrom is another gear 84, Figs. 1, 2 and 9, which is fixed by screws 86 for rotation therewith toa gear hub 81. The gear hub 8? is in turn secured by means of a set screw 88 to a timing shaft 89. The timing shaft 823 is parallel to the transmitting shaft 49 and is pivotally supported at its ends in bushings 9i and 82. The bushings t and 92 are clamped in position and to the upper parts of sections 53 and 93 of the main transmitter casting 56 by bushing clamping members 94 and 95, respectively.

Secured adjacent the left hand end of the timing shaft 89, for rotation therewith, by means of a set screw 91 is a flanged collar-9&3 and extending horizontally from the right hand side of the ifiange of the collar 98 are a group of pins as which engage radial slots in a segmented ring fill. The segments Nil, similar to the segment '58, Fig. 4:, are held with a felt ring 11%, Fig. 9, in frictional engagement with the outer circumference of a sleeve 4% by means of a spring NM. The sleeve W3 is loosely mounted on the timing shaft 89 and tends to rotate therewith due to the action of the rotating segments fill and felt Hi2 frictionally engaged therewith. However, the sleeve is normally held'in its normal rest position by means hereinafter described. Adapted to rotate with the sleeve I03 are two stop arms m6 and fill and a disc cam I08. The stop arms ifit and It?! and the cam m8 intermediate with spacers IGQare clamped together and in position by means of a nut H! in threaded engagement with the right hand end of the sleeve 5533.

When a keylever is depressed to selectively position the permutation. bars 32, the lower edge of the keylever also engages the associated beveled surface Fig. 6, onth'e release bar 33 and moves the release bar to the left. The release bar 33 has a rightwardly extending projection 5 l2 which is upwardly bifurcated to engage a pin fit on the lower end of a substantially vertical lever iii. The lever H4 is pivoted adjacent its center on a shoulder screw H6 extendhorisontally from the vertical section 54 of the transmitting casting 55. The upper end ill of the lever H4 is bent horizontally toward the front as shown in Fig. 6, and to the left shown dotted in Fig. 1. Adjustably attached to the lever M4 by screws H8 is anotherlever He. The upper end. l2! of the lever H9 is bent horizontally toward the right as shown dotted in Fig. l, and is normally engaged. with the bent end of the stop arm I07 fixed to the sleeve lift on the timing shaft 89 to hold the sleeve 5 at rest inits normal rest position. The bent end H! of the lever H4 is adapted to operatively engage the stop arm I06 on the sleeve we to stop the rotation of the in an off-normal position, as will be hereinafter described. As the release bar 33 is cammed to the left, it causes" the lever M4 to pivot a slight amount in a clockwise direction against action of the attached spring H22, Fig. 6.

is disengaged from the bent end of the stop. arm i371 fixed to the sleeve Hi3. Thereupon the sleeve and its attached-members are free to rotate with the timing shaft 85 through the action of the friction clutch. comprising the felt ring I02 and the segments fill until brought to rest as hereinafter described. As the sleeve H33 on the ming shaft 89 has very little work to perform, the friction clutch thereon, comprising the segments fill and felt ring we, may be made very light as compared with the friction clutch on the transmitting shaft it. With a light friction clutch on the timing shaft 89, the disengagement ,ef the stop arm ml and the lever H9 can more transmitting shaft 4Q directly. Accordingly, only sfuiicient pressure on a keylever is required to position the permutation bars 32 and release the light friction clutch on the timing shaft 89 and this comprises one of the novel features of the invention.

Pivoted on a horizontal shoulder screw I23, i, in the section 5d of the transmitter frame casting is a bell crank i251. Adjustably attached to bell crank HEM, by means of a screw I26 extending through an elongated slot I21 in the bell crank 2 2, is a lever 528. The upper end of the lever H8 is bent horizontally toward the right as shown in Fig. l, and is normally engaged with the end of the stop arm 8! on the transmitting shaft at. A spring 52$ attached to an arm of the bell crank I24 keeps the upper end.

sleeve I63 has been released to rotate, as hereinbefore described, and has rotated a few de-.

grees from its rest position, the cam I68 allows the spring. I29 to rock the bell crank I24 and the attached lever I28 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. '7. This movement of the lever I28 causes the horizontally bent end thereof to be disengaged from the end of the stop arm BI on the transmitting shaft 49. Thereupon the transmitting shaft :29 is free to rotate with the constantly rotating sleeve 52 thereon, through the action of the hereinbefore described friction clutch comprising the segments 58 and the felt ring Iii. The functions performed on the rotation of the transmitting shaft will be hereinafter pointed out.

Attached to the transmitter frame casting 56 by screws use, Fig. 8, is a block I32 which has therein a plurality of vertical slots I33. Horizontally supported in the block I32 and held therein by screws, such as I35, is a rod I36. Pivotally supported on the rod I34 and in a vertical slot I33 in the block I32 is a bell crank IB'I which has the upper end thereof in operative alignment with the lock cam 19 on the trans-- mitter shaft 49. Also pivoted on the rod I34 and in the same slot I33 in the block I32 as the bell crank I3? is one end of a U-shape locking bail I32. The other end of the locking bail I33 is pivotally supported on the end of a shoulder screw I39 in the section It-I of the transmitter casting 56, Figs. 1 and 2. The bell crank I31, Fig. 8, and the locking bail I33 are adjustably attached together by means of a screw I42 extending through an elongated slot I43 in the locking bail I38. A spring I4 3, Fig. 1, attached to the bail I38 tends to rock the bail and bell crank I31 in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 8 and keeps the upper end of the bell crank I31 in engagement with its associated cam 19. Horizontally supported from depending sections, such as Hi6, Figs, 6 to 8, of the locking bail I38 is a rod I41 which extends beneath the leftwardlyextending arms I 48 of a series of bell cranks M9. The bell cranks I49, five in number, are each in operative alignment with an associated one of the permutation bars 32 and are pivotally supported on a horizontal rod I5I which is held by screws I52 in a block I53 attached to the transmitter frame 55 by screws I54. Vertical slots I55 in the block I 53 guide the bell cranks I49 in their movements hereinafter described. Attached to the right hand side of the block I53 are a series of five spring contacts indicated in general by reference numeral I51. The contacts I5? are mounted between strips of insulating material I53 and each is associated and in alignment with one of the bell cranks I42. A piece of insulating material I59 attached to the top right hand spring of each contact I51 engages the horizontal projection at the upper end of its associated bell crank and is normally held open thereby. Attached to the center section of the locking bail I33 is a wedgeshaped member Itl which is adapted to cooperate with wedge-shaped projections I62 on each of the permutation bars to hold the bars in their selected position during the transmission of the corresponding group of impulses.

When the transmitting shaft 49 is released for rotation as hereinbefore described and has rotated a few degrees from its normal rest position, the high part of the cam 19 rotates out of operative engagement with the upper end of the bell crank I31. This allows the bell crank I31 and the attached bail I38 to rock a few degrees in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 8. As the bail I38 rocks the wedge-shaped section ISI moves into the path of the vertical projections I62 on the permutation bars 32 and thereby prevents them from being moved for the time being by the operation of another keylever It. The rod I47 rocking with bail I38allows the bell cranks 49 to rock in a counterclockwise direction under the action of their individually associated springs I63. The amount of rocking of the individual bell cranks I49 is determined. by the position of their associated permutation bars 32 by means of projections I64 extending horizontally from the right hand end of each of the bars. When a permutation bar 32 is in its right hand position, as moved by a keylever It, the projection IE4 is beneath the left hand end of the arm I48 of its associated bell crank I42 and with a permutation bar in its left hand position the projection I64 thereon is out from beneath the end of the leftwardly extending arms I48 of its associated bell crank. I

:"Thus, as the bail I38 pivots, the bell cranks I49 associated with the permutation bars 32 that are in their left hand position are allowed to pivot to the full amount allowed by the rod I41 whereas the bell cranks whose associated permutation bars 32 are in their right hand position engage the projections I62 after a slight amount of pivoting to stop further movement of the bell cranks. The bell cranks I49 in pivoting to the full amount allowed by the rod I41 allow their associated contacts I51 to close while the bell cranks which pivot only a slight amount hold their associated contacts open. Thus, the settings of the permutation bars 32 are simultaneously transferred to the set of contacts I51 and are represented by the contacts associated with the permutation bars in their right hand position remaining open, and the contacts associated with permutation bars in their left hand position being closed.

The contacts I51 associated with the bell cranks M9 are called the primary contacts and one spring of each of these contacts is connected in parallel to one of the line conductors such as I65, Fig. 10. The other springs of these contacts I51 are each individually connected to one of the springs of associated transmitting contacts I611. The other springs of the transmitting contacts Ifil are connected in parallel to the line circuit IE8. The transmitting contacts I61 are normally open and a normally closed start contact I69 is connected between the two line conductors I65 and I68. The transmitting contacts I61, Fig. 8, and the start contact I69 are attached between strips of insulating material, such as IN, to the block I32. Associated with each of the transmitting contacts I61 and the start contact I69 are individual contact levers I12. The contact levers I12 are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on the rod I34 in the block I32, and the upper left hand ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 8, are in operative alignment with the associated transmitting cams 18 and the start cam 11. Each of the contact levers I12 has a rightwardlyextending arm I13 adjacent the center thereof which engages a piece of insulating material such as I14 at the upper end of one of the springs of their associated contacts I61 and I89. In the rest position of the transmitting shaft 4!; the high part of the start cam 11 engages its associated contact lever I12 to hold the associated start contact I69 closed and main- 75 tain the normal closed line condition. As the transmitting shaft 49 is released for rotation as hereinbefore described and has rotated a slight amount from its rest position, the high part of start cam ll rotates out of engagement with the upper end of its associated contact lever H2. This allows the start contact W9 to open and as at this time none of the transmitting contacts I 61 are closed, an open line condition is transmitted which represents the start impulse. After about one-seventh of a revolution of the transmitting shaft after the opening of the start contact, the first transmitting earn it rocks its associated contact lever l'l2 to close its associated transmitting contact It], and depending upon the condition of the associated primary contact I57 an open or closed line condition is transmitted to the line circuits H58 and M38. The first transmitting-contact is held closed during approximately one-seventh of'the revolution of the transmitting shaft t9 and as the high part of the first transmitting cam it passes out of engagement with its associated contact lever to allow the first transmitting contact ml to open, the high part of the second transmittingcam 18 engages, its associated contact lever M2 to close its associated contact ifil'. The third, fourth and fifth transmitting contacts it? are each sequentially closed for approximately one-seventh of the revolution of the transmittingshaft in a similar manner by their associated cams l8 and contact lever I72 and establish an open or closed line condition depending on the position of their associated primary contacts H57. Near the end of the revolution of the transmitting shaft 18 the high part of the start contact engages its associated contact lever H2 to close the start contact H59. This causes a closed line condition to be transmitted which corresponds to the rest impulse following each code group and is the normal rest condition. Thus a code group of impulses, of open and closed line conditions, representative of the setting of the permutation bars 32 is transmitted to the line and is preceded by an open line start impulse andfollowed by a closed line rest impulse. Also near the end of the revolution of the transmitting shaft the cam l9 rocks the bellcrank l3? and hail H38 in a clockwise direction to their normal position which Withdraws the wedge-shaped member it?! from out of the path of the projections M2 on the permutation bars 32, allowing them to be repositioned by the depression of another keylever and also causes the rod Hi to rock the bell cranks M9 to their normal position.

The manner in which the transmitting shaft is brought to rest at the completion of every revolution for at least a predetermined length of time will now be described. The gears 63 and 84, Fig. 2, are arranged relative to one another so that the timing shaft 89 rotates at a slightly slower speed than the transmitting shaft 49; In

the preferred embodiment the gears 63 and ti l are arranged so that the shaft 89 rotates approximately one-thirteenth ,,slower than the transmitting shaft. When the transmitting shaft 49 has made a complete revolution, the sleeve I03 on the timing shaft 89 will have completed only about twelve-thirteenths of a revolution. This amount of rotation is sufiicient to allow the cam N18 to pivot the bell crank i2 3 into its normal position. Therefore, the upper end of the lever I28 will be in the path of the stop arm Bl on the transmitting shaft and as the two engage, the rotation of the transmitting shaft will be stopped. As the sleeve M33 will not at this time have completed a revolution, it will continue to rotate approximately one-thirteenth of a revolution until the stop arm lll'l thereon engages the upper end 52! of the lever H9. Thus the transmitting shaft is stopped for at least a predetermined length of time after each revolution before it can again be released by the cam Hit on the timing shaft 89.

In the above description it was assumed that the operated keylever it was released immediately or sometime before the transmitting shaft had completed its revolution and a description of the operation will now be given When a reyiever is held depressed for an abnormal length of time or longer than the time required for the transmission of a complete code combination. When a keylever is held depressed, the release bar is held in its left hand position, Fig. 6. The release bards in turn holds the levers H4 and 5 i9 rocked in a clockwise direction and in this position of the levers, the upper end ii! of the lever ll 'l is in the path of the bent end of the stop arm on the sleeve H33. Thus for the above conditions the stop arm H35 and the up per bent end ill of the lever lid will engage, and stop the rotation of the sleeve H13 in an offnormal position a few degrees ahead of its normal rest position and will continue to holdthe sleeve at rest in an oiT-normal position as long the lieylever is held operated. When the keylever i5 is finally released, the spring E22 rocks the lever M ll in a counterclockwise direction to its normal position, as limited by an adjustable stop iii-5, causing the disengagement of the stop arm lild with theupper end of the lever H4 and places the upper end of the lever H9 in the path of the stop arm Mil. Thereupon, the sleeve ids completes its revolution and the upper end of the lever H9 engages the stop arm ill! to bring the sleeve N53 to rest in its normal rest position. The cam M18 is so shaped that in the off-normal stop position of the sleeve W3,

the bell crank its and the lever i128 are rocked to their normal position to stop the rotation of f the transmitting shaft at as heretofore described. Thuswhen a keylever is depressed for an abnormal length of time, the transmitting shaft 49 makes one continuous revolution, the same as when the keylever is immediately released, while the timing sleeve 9% isstopped in an off-normal position before it completes its revolution.

It is obvious, of course, that various modifications of the apparatus shown and described here-. I in may be made without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention, such as adapting it for use with a six unit code, and it i is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and are specifically set forth in th appended claims.

What is claimed is: i. In a telegraph apparatus, a set of selectors,

a corresponding set of transmitting contacts, a

2. In a telegraph apparatus, a set of primary '4'5 contacts, a set of transmitting contacts, a series of keylevers, a set of permutation bars selectively responsive to actuated ones of said keylevers, a source of power, a first means comprising a single cam operated by said source of power for setting said primary contacts in accordance with the setting of said permutation bars and a second means comprising a plurality of cams operated by said source of power for successively actuating said set of transmitting contacts to transmit impulses representative of the setting of said primary contacts.

3. Ina start-stop telegraph transmitter, a set of keylevers, a set of permutation bars selectively positioned by the operation of any one of said keylevers at a time, a set of primary contacts and a set of transmitting contacts, a timing shaft and a transmitting shaft, means controlled by the'operation of any one of said keylevers to initiate the rotation of said timing shaft, means controlled by said timing shaft for initiating the rotation of said transmitting shaft and invariably stopping the same at the completion of each revolution thereof, a locking bail operable during substantially the complete revolution of said transmitting shaft to lock said permutation bars in their set position, means controlled by said locking bail to actuate said primary contacts in accordance with the setting of said permutation bars and means whereby said transmitting shaft sequentially operates said transmitting contacts I to transmit a code combination representative of the setting of said primary contacts.

4. In a keyboard transmitter, a plurality of keylevers, a primary set and an associated set of secondary contacts, a rotatable .member, means tending to rotate said member, means for normally maintaining said member at rest, means actuated on the operation of any one of said keylevers for releasing said rotatable member for one revolution and for determining the manner of operation of said primary set of contacts, first means operated by said rotatable member to set said primary set of contacts as determined by said last mentioned means, and a second means operated by said rotatable member to sequentially operate said secondary set of contacts whereby a code combination of impulses representative of setting of said primary set of contacts is transmitted. I

5. In a keyboard transmitter, a plurality of keylevers, a primary set of contacts, a rotatable member normally at rest and tending to rotate, means actuated on the operation of any one of said keylevers for releasing said rotatable member for one revolution and for determining the manner of operation of said primary set of contacts and means operated by said rotatable memher to set said primary set of contacts as determined by said last mentioned means.

6. In a telegraph keyboard, a set of keylevers, a transmitting member rotatable at a predetermined speed, a timing member rotatable at a predetermined slower speed, means normally tending to rotate said transmitting and timing members, stop means for maintaining said members in predetermined stop positions, means operable on the actuation of any one of said keylevers for releasing said timing member forone revolution and for normally stopping the same in its normal rest position thereafter, means controlled by said timing member during each revolution thereof for releasing said transmitting member for one revolution and for invariably stopping the same thereafter at the normal stop position thereof, means operable on the actuation of a keylever for an abnormal length of time for stopping said timing member in an offnormal stop position ahead of said normal position and means operable on the release of an abnormally operated keylever for allowing said timing mem ber to rotate from said oiT-normal stop position to said normal stop position.

'7. In a telegraph transmitter comprising a series of keylevers, a plurality of permutation members movable from one of two positions to the other in various combinations in accordance with the depression of said keylevers, a release bar invariably operated on the depression of said keylevers, a distributing member rotatable at a predetermined speed, a timing member rotatable at a predetermined slower speed, means normally tending to rotate said distributing and timing members, stop means for maintaining said 'members in predetermined stop positions, means controlled by said release bar for releasing said timing member and normally bringing it to rest after one complete revolution, means controlled by said timing member for releasing said distributing member to transmit a code combination representative of theiposition of said permutation members and invariably stopping the same after each revolution thereof, means operative on the depression of a keylever for a longer interval of time than required for said distributing member to make a complete revolution for stopping said timing member in an off-normal posi tion and means operative on the release of said keylever for invariably stopping said timing member in a normal position. 7

PAUL A. NOXON.

GEORGE E. MILLER. 

